3DS Ends Xbox 360's 28 Month Hardware Number 1 Streak

After an impressive 28 months sitting atop the US hardware charts, the Xbox 360 has finally been outsold, by the 3DS no less [Joystiq]. This was achieved with considerable help from Top Ten appearances in the all-format charts from Donkey Kong: Country Returns (3), Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (5) and Lego Batman 2 (10).

The data collated by the NPD in their monthly report shows that it was generally a slow month for sales with 3DS hardware numbers roughly on a par with the year before but still able to buck the trend set by the main consoles. Sales of current-gen consoles like the 360 and PS3 will naturally be down as consumers gear up for the next-gen machines later this year. That, and the usual second quarter drought. A cold reception at E3 can't have helped Microsoft's numbers either.

With 3DS gamers lapping up the new Animal Crossing: New Leaf, we wouldn't be surprised to see even more 3DS handhelds flying off the shelves to enable Nintendo to enjoy another month at the top too.

Yeah, I've killed a console that's got loads of life left in it, and it's a point you'd already made in the main body, but I seem to be having a narky day. Not your fault :P

3DS has been on the market for over two years now and like the 360 is current gen. The Next gen won't start until the actual Next Gen consoles are released (yes I know PC gamers, Next Gen started for you years ago.)

This is quite an achievement for the Nintendo, as the Analysts in the US (Michael Pachter specially) have been saying that the handheld market is dead and Nintendo should just make their portable games for Android and iOS. Ofcourse it's entirely possible that the Xbox 360 just didn't sell last months and that's why the 3DS took the lead.